The Lark opens at the Brew House

Joan of Arc led an army, crowned a king and saved a nation from certain demise.

After the battles are over and she is no longer politically useful, what's to be done with her? Will the men who preside over her trial make her a sacrifice, a martyr or an example? Politics, necessity and belief struggle to contain her, but what does Joan have to say for herself and for all of humanity?

Phase 3 Productions gives Joan the opportunity to plead her case in Lillian Hellman's adaptation of Jean Anouilh's provocative examination of Joan of Arc's trial and execution, The Lark. The production previews on February 12 and 13, opens on February 14, and runs through March 1 at the Brew House, 2100 Mary Street, South Side.

The Lark is directed by Rachel S. Parent. Recently, Ms. Parent directed the staged reading of local playwright Sloan MacRae's “Davy Crockett Hates America!” for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Her previous directing credits include Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues and A.R. Gurney's The Problem for Ashland University, where she received a B.A. in Theatre. She serves as the executive director for Phase 3 Productions, and is the costumer for South Park Theatre.

The production features Meagan Reagle as Joan of Arc, John Feighter as Couchon, Nicki Mazzocca as The Promoter, and David Ogrodowski as Beaudricourt and The Inquisitor

Meaghan Reagle is a Point Park University graduate who has performed with has the Pittsburgh REP, Point Park University Conservatory Company, Prime Stage Theatre, and Pittsburgh New Works. Recently she sang with the Tuesday Musical Club.

John Feighter is a University of Pittsburgh graduate whose acting credits include Measure for Measure (Angelo) with Circle in the Water, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Einstein) with Stage Right, and numerous play festivals including Pittsburgh Pride Theatre Festival, the Theatre Festival in Black and White, and The

Red-Eye Theatre Project. Feightner also serves as producer, co-host, and regular performer for Friday Night Improv, and is a member of the Pittsburgh comedy troupe Hustlebot.

Nicoletta Mazzocca is a Wheeling resident who also recently earned her BFA in acting from Ohio University. She was recently seen as Christine in the Phase 3 production of Miss Julie. Her roles at Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod included Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Truvy in Steel Magnolias. At Ohio University her roles included Adriana in The Comedy of Errors and Maria in Man of LaMancha. She was Belle Carpenter in the film version of Winesburg Ohio, and has voiced Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol for the WOUB Public Radio Books on Tape series.

David Ogridowski's stage credits include The Whip Man in Pittsburgh Opera's production of Billy Budd and King Sextimus in the McKees Point Little Theatre production of Once Upon a Mattress.

The ensemble also includes Matthew Preston, Thalia Snyder, Kaitlin Mausser, Tonya Lynn, Rich Venezia and Ronald Fernandez. Fight Choreography is by Tonya Lynn, production design is by J.R. Shaw, with costume design by Melissa Hill Grande and Rachel S. Parent.

Phase 3 Productions is comprised of Executive Director Rachel S. Parent, Managing Artistic Director Dek Ingraham, Co-Artistic Director Melissa Hill Grande, and Production Manager/Technical Director J.R. Shaw. The theme for the 2008-2009 season is “Women Behaving Badly,” exploring the relationship between women and society through the lens of history. Their partner charity for the season is The Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

The Lark previews February 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., opens February 14 at 8 p.m., and continues with performances February 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and March 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and senior citizens. Previews are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens. “Early Bird” discounted tickets are available for all performances by purchasing before February 12 online through the Phase 3 website, http://www.phase3productions.org. To reserve tickets by phone or for questions, call 412-567-5033.